Wide views of the flying fields for the Jan. 1 fun-flies. At top is the asphalt circle at Delta Park in Portland, and below is the asphalt circle in Richmond, B.C. Barbara White and Joe Yau photos.

Control-line flying alive and well in New Year

Rice Mill Road field, Richond, B.C., and Jim Walker Memorial Control-Line Flying Field, Portland, Ore., Jan. 1, 2019

Big groups of CL fliers turned out on a chilly Jan. 1 for traditional Northwest New Year's Day fun-fly events that celebrated the beginning of 2019 in Portland, Ore., and in Richmond, B.C.

In Portland it was Oregon Flying Fun No. 1, hosted by the Northwest Fireballs, which was the first of three traditional Oregon winter fun sessions.

In Richmond, fliers from the Vancouver Gas Model Club and Pacific Aeromodellers Club gathered in the snow for the annual Polar Bear Fun Fly.

Here are reports from the clubs on the activities:

Oregon Flying Fun No. 1

By Barbara White

Welcome to 2019! The year started with a great Fun Fly #1 at East Delta Park. Foggy when everyone gathered at 10 a.m., but not so much you couldn't fly and that cleared by afternoon. Yes, it was cold, but neither wet nor windy. About as good as it gets on New Year's Day. We didn't need canopies, either for sunburn or for protection from rain, but enjoyed the propane heater Doug Powers brought.

The Northwest Fireballs welcomed 17 club members and three guests, Dave Shrum from Roseburg (again earning a long-distance award), Steve Lindstedt from Silverton, and Rich Schaper. Of those, 12 flyers put up 19 flights.

As usual for this event, there was hot coffee, lots of pastries (so much for that New Year's resolution) and a hot lunch: pots of chili, soup, pulled pork for sandwiches, fried chicken and (Chicago-style) boiled Louisiana red hot sausages on buns.

We flew, visited and ate until about 2:20 p.m., at which time the flyers gathered around the prize table for the flying raffle.

Thanks to all the Northwest Fireballs members who worked to put on this event. Doug Powers, 2019 Club President, led the charge. Other members, in addition to flying, provided the equipment and food. We continue to appreciate our flying circles and sincerely hope they don't end up lost in the continuing attempts to remake or replace the bridges across the Columbia River.

Mark your calendars for the second weekend in April, 4/12 through 4/14, for the Jim Walker Memorial Spring Tune-Up. Happy New Year!

Oregon Flying Fun No. 1 photo gallery

The Portland fliers lined up for a group photo. Standing (from left) are Gary Harris, Don Curry, Leighton Mangels, Dave Royer, Bill Lee, Ron Anderson,Steve Lindstedt, Darrin Bishop, Mike Hazel and Richard Entwhistle. Kneeling in front: Doug Powers, Dave Shrum, Jim Cameron, Tom Brightbill and Tim Wescott. Not shown are Barbara White, Robert Ladd, Robin Gearn, Rich Schaper, Jim Harper. Barbara White photo.

First photo of the day shows Dave Shrum on the flight line in the early fog. Barbara White photo.

Tim Wescott flies while Richard Entwhistle prepares his plane on the flight line. Barbara White photo.

Darrin Bishop flies on the grass circle. Barbara White photo.

A hearty lunch is a tradition at the Portland fun fly. Barbara White photo.

Doug Powers (left) and Bill Lee prepare for a flight. Barbara White photo.

Richard Entwhistle flies. Barbara White photo.

Mike Hazel flies. Barbara White photo.

Doug Powers starts a racing plane. Steve Lindstedt photo.

A .38 Special on the flight line. Steve Linstedt photo.

A Ringmaster ready to fly. Steve Linstedt photo.

Dave Shrum flies. Steve Linstedt photo.

A semi-scale Beech Staggerwing on display. The plane is a Jack Sheeks design from the collection of Gary Nelson, now owned by Tim Wescott, who hopes to get it flying in the coming year. Steve Linstedt photo.

Mike Hazel launches. Steve Linstedt photo.

A nice-looking stunter. Steve Linstedt photo.

This twin-engine warbird is Tim Wescott's Mosquito, Jack Sheeks design from the Gary Nelson collection. Steve Linstedt photo.

Fliers inspect the prizes given away in the flying raffle. Barbara White photo.

Polar Bear Fun Fly

By Bruce Duncan

For most of the day we had filtered sun along with a cold breeze right down the Fraser River from the B.C. interior. The high temperature for the day was 4 degrees C or about 38 F with a wind chill down to about 34 F.

There were the hearty types who brought models and flew although most of us, about 20 in all from both PAC & VGMC, stood back and observed.

Overall 2019 is off to a great start!

Happy New Year to all.